happy baby gut

Healthy Gut, Happy Baby: A Parent’s Guide to Nutrition

Did you know why gut health is so important for your baby? Ensuring your baby’s gut health is vital for their overall development and well-being. A healthy gut microbiome boosts the immune system, helps protect against illness, supports digestion and can even influence your baby’s mood and behavior.1 However, various factors, including the mother’s diet and lifestyle, the mode of delivery, feeding method, and antibiotic use, can compromise the balance of your baby’s gut microbiome, possibly increasing the risk of health challenges. Therefore, supporting the development of a healthy gut microbiome from the very beginning lays a strong foundation for lifelong health.1,2

Let’s look at a few nutritional strategies for your baby’s healthy gut

  1. Prioritize breastfeeding: Breastmilk is the perfect food for your babies, providing all the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.3 The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months to ensure optimal health benefits.4 What is even more amazing is that the composition of breast milk changes over time to meet your baby’s evolving needs.5 Breast milk is naturally rich in immune-boosting nutrients, especially good bacteria (probiotics) and foods that nourish these good bacteria (prebiotic dietary fiber) to support the growth of healthy gut bacteria.2,6,7

    2. Furthermore, breastfeeding also transfers good bacteria from the mother to the baby, further strengthening the infant’s immune system.5

    stay hydrated

    Tips for mothers:8-9

    • Stay hydrated: Water is crucial for maintaining milk production.
    • Include variety of foods such as fenugreek, dark green leafy vegetables, fennel seeds, nuts, and sesame seeds in your diet to increase milk production.
    • Seek lactation support to breastfeed, if required.
  2. Consider prebiotics and probiotics together: Where exclusively breastfeeding is not possible, including babies born via c-section or those who have been exposed to antibiotics, introducing prebiotics or probiotics together can be a helpful nutritional strategy to boost immunity.10 Together, prebiotics and probiotics work to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, support the immune system, and contribute to the overall growth and development of your baby.11–13

    3. Research shows that giving synbiotic supplementation (a mix of prebiotics and probiotics) to c-section-born babies can support the growth of good gut bacteria, which is essential for supporting immune health. Further, this unique combination can reduce the risk of infections and allergies.14 However, it is essential to consult a pediatrician before introducing these supplements to ensure they are safe and suitable for your baby’s needs.

  3. Timely introduce semi-solid foods: When your baby reaches six months of age, it’s important to introduce solid foods alongside continued breastfeeding.3,15 During this time, select nutrient-dense, gut-friendly options that support overall gut health and development. Adding fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your baby’s diet can help promote healthy digestion and reduce the risk of constipation.1,16

Practical tips for mothers

  • Try for a vaginal birth: Bacteria transferred during vaginal delivery are very different from c-section born babies. Vaginally born babies have a higher quantity of good bacteria, which is transferred to them during birth. This helps to setup a healthy gut microbiota in babies and supports in digestion, boosts the immune system, protects against illness and infections, and even influence your baby’s mood and behavior.1,17
  • Practice skin-to-skin contact: Skin-to-skin contact, immediately after birth, promotes the transfer of good bacteria from mother to the baby, strengthening their bond.18
  • Avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary: While antibiotics are sometimes necessary, their overuse can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria in babies. Thus, to mitigate potential negative effects, consider giving your baby synbiotics after antibiotic treatment to help in growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.1
  • Avoid unnecessary additives: Processed foods and sugar can contribute to inflammation and disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.19 So, try to choose products with natural ingredients.

To conclude, help your baby establish a healthy gut environment and contribute to your baby’s overall well-being.

References

  1. Yang I, et al. Nurs Res. 2016;65(1):76–88.
  2. DuPont HL, et al. Antibiotics. 2023;12(11):1617.
  3. Catassi G, et al. Nutrients. 2024;16(3):400
  4. WHO. Available at: https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/exclusive-breastfeeding. Accessed on: 7 January 2025.
  5. Breastfeeding benefits both baby and mom. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/features/breastfeedingbenefits.html#:~:text=Breastfeeding%20can%20help%20protect%20babies,ear%20infections%20and%20stomach%20bugs.Accessed on: 7 January 2025.
  6. Moossavi S, et al. Front Pediatr. 2018;6:197.
  7. Gibson GR, et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;14(8):491–502.
  8. Malisova O, et al. Nutrients. 2024;16(13):2157.
  9. Foong SC, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;5(5):CD011505.
  10. Martín-Peláez S, et al. Nutrients. 2022;14(2):341.
  11. Wiertsema SP, et al. Nutrients. 2021;13:886.
  12. Lyons KE, et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):1039.
  13. Perrella S, et al. Semin Perinatol. 2021;45(2):151380.
  14. Chua MC, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2017;65(1):102–106.
  15. UNICEF. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/food-nutrition/feeding-your-baby-when-to-start-solid-foods#:~:text=When%20your%20baby%20reaches%206,of%20becoming%20thin%20and%20weak. Accessed on: 7 January 2025.
  16. Aziz T, et al. Gut Microbes. 2024;16(1):2297864.
  17. Lai C, et al. Sci Rep. 2024;14:17452.
  18. Widström AM, et al. Acta Paediatr. 2019;108(7):1192–1204.
  19. Shi Z. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2287.